The Skills that Will Matter in an Economic Meltdown

Zombies are not really going to be an issue – most likely. However, a big economic crash, government failure, or other widespread society melt down is definitely possible. In the middle of this catastrophe, money in the bank, gold in your home, or collector’s antiques aren’t going to matter too much. What is going to matter are skills. What goods or services can you provide that will be useful for others?

During and after an economic meltdown, survival will be the challenge. The basics of food, shelter and clothing are obvious. Other skills will be extremely useful to travel, commerce, and aggressive defense.

First Aid, CPR and Herbal Remedies

With the possibility of illness and injury, knowledge of first aid, C.P.R. and using proven natural, home remedies will be necessary. Medical commodities will be extremely in demand in a national melt down situation. The more you are able to treat on your own, the better.

Keep in mind, if you can go to the doctor or hospital, and use conventional medication- DO IT. You may want to have friends who know how to run a medical clinic.

Water Treatment

Without water, humans cannot survive. The estimated survival period for humans without water is three weeks. Knowing how to store and purify water will be essential. If you can store large amounts of water, not only will you be a good provider for your family, but for friends and local communities as well. Boiling water is one sure way to remove contaminates.

Welding

The ability to build strong structures is relevant across so many different categories. Welders from Advantage Manufacturing Ltd work on everything from auto transport, to home equipment, to other specialized tasks regularly. If you can work metal, you are an asset to transportation, construction, and community defense.

Food Preservation

Not being able to jump in the car and go to the store, fast food restaurant, or coffee shop will be an adjustment for most of us. Knowing how to produce and preserve your own food will be an essential skill. Those who can make this adjustment will likely be the ones who will survive.

Being at the mercy of what the land can yield will be something new to us. Vegetables only grow in seasons, unless you have a greenhouse (recommended).

Canning, jarring, making jams, jellies, and jerky will keep food in the house when food prices drastically increase, and when you lose the fridge and freezer.

Caring for Clothes

Keeping clothes is decent shape is something to consider. Inability to replace a wardrobe because simple items like t-shirts, socks and undergarments could cost a fortune that cannot be afforded could be problematic. Learn how to sew with a single needle and thread, instead of a machine, same with the laundry, washing by hand. Weaving and quilting could also be helpful skills.

Climate Survival

With the climate being as it is, heating, cooling, drought, flooding, and other extreme weather disasters are something to be prepared for. Dressing for the elements using common sense will help. The simple act of knowing how to start a fire, without matches or a lighter will come in handy. Try a magnifying glass or prescription glasses and the sun, if rubbing sticks does not work.

Communication Compensation

It’s widely accepted that the fall back form of communication will be HAM radio in the event of a widespread disaster. Operating one of these puppies is no small task. Special training and hands on experience are required to properly use them. However, the ability to communicate on a massive scale will be extremely valuable.

Most of the information currently available on the Internet will only exist in books. Best recommendation, do the research now and keep reading.

Hannah Whittenly is a freelance writer from Sacramento, California. A mother of two, Hannah enjoys writing on blogs of all niches.

4 thoughts on “The Skills that Will Matter in an Economic Meltdown”

Hate to be a party killer but you'll only last about 3 DAYS not weeks without water. Remember the Rule of 3's: You can survive only about 3 minutes without air, 3 days without water, 3 hours without shelter (in an inclement situation) and 3 weeks without food. This makes water actually the number 1 item to secure if you are stuck, lost, or just plain bugging out after, of course, air. It also makes filtering any agua you find (via coffee filters, cheesecloth, clean socks, etc) and purifying it via bleach or chlorine tablets or boiling it also extremely important. Boiling is best and so having the resources necessary to make fire PLUS the ability to boil said water in an appropriate (metal, etc) container very, very important. And, please, nobody try the Bear Grylls approach i.e. drinking your own urine or water squeezed from elephant dung (or any other dung for that matter) as an acceptable source of said water.Blessings,Selene

We have come so far from being self sufficient, but we are becoming more aware how important it is for us to be able to do thing for ourselves. I'm glad to see so many people learning the old skills our great grandparents all knew.